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"Da-Da is home" A kid ran toward Gus when he opened the door, he grabbed his tiny short arms around his legs so tight. He had beautiful brown eyes and dark curly hair, looking exactly like a mini version of Max. He raised his hands to Gus, and Gus took him off the ground, holding the kid in his arms.
"Menos. Let's your Da-Da take a break" Max appeared in his white shirt, the navy apron around his waist. "Welcome home, Gustavo" He placed a light kiss on Gus's cheek.
"Menos wants a kiss too" The kid squirmed in his arms, Max took him and placed a noisy kiss on his nose, his forehead.
"Come on. Show your Da-Da your new toys" Max put the kid down and turned around to smile at Gus "I cook your favorite Chilean dish for dinner. Bet that's not good as yours but it's edible. Try it and tell me what you think, ok?"
"Da-Da, look, tío Tyrus bought me new toys" The kid showed his new toys to Gus when they went through the living room.
"They're going to spoil that little devil" Max shook his head slowly and headed to the kitchen, Gus following.
Gus washed his hand under the water, he could feel the heat, could smell the food, he could hear the kid's laugh while playing with his new toys. He turned off the water, took a napkin to dry his hands, then leaned against the sink, looking at Max.
"Is there something on my face, huh?" Max asked.
"No. You're just so real" Gus let out a shaky sigh.
Max put his hands on Gus's waist, pulling him closer, and kissed him.
"Is this real enough for you?" He broke the kiss but remain close, let their noses touch.
Gus didn't reply. He put his hand on Max's chest, feeling the other heartbeat under his fingertips. Thump thump thump thump.
"Da-Da, Papa. You guys are doing it again. Is that mean I will have a sister or brother? I hope that a brother. I can't stand the girl" The kid came from nowhere, clearly unhappy, they didn't even notice about his appearance.
"What're you talking about Menos?" Max raised an eyebrow at the kid.
"This" He motioned to their pose until then they were aware that they still clinging to each other, "They said that when people hug and kiss, 9 months later, they'll have a baby," He said certainly.
"And who told you that?" Max let Gus go and tried to compose himself.
"Tío Victor"
"I definitely need to have a little talk with your tío. Set the table for me, will you?" Max sent the kid away and turned back to his partner "I don't know if he is more like you or me?"
They had a perfect dinner. The kid told them how was his day, his naïve voice ringing in Gus's head like a bell on Christmas. After dinner, they played the new game Tyrus bought him "Break ice to save the penguin". The game had baby blue and white hexagons, and a little penguin that they put in the middle, they needed to use a mini hammer to break the ice without letting it fall, who made it fall would be the loser. He could be a successful businessman, and Max could have two degrees but they were not Menos's opponents in this game, the kid laughing when he beat his fathers too easily.
"Alright, time for bed" Max cleaned the snacks, "Gus, por favor. And Menos, don't forget to brush your teeth"
Gus took Menos to his room, this used to be the guest room but then it was filled with Menos's toys, the wall was painted azure with a big astronaut and some stars.
"Da-Da, can we go to the zoo this weekend?" Menos asked while Gus tugging his blanket, Gus gave him a slight nod then turned off the light, before leaving he gave the kid one last look.
"So, he asked you to take him to the zoo, didn't he? That little devil, he knows that you never say no to him." Max shifted a little, made room for Gus in the bed.
Max closed the book he was reading and put it on the side desk, in front of the picture.
Gus remembered that picture, three of them on the beach. The sky was so clear with maya color and the beach had this sapphire color. That was the first time Manus went to the beach, he was so excited. Max taught him how to swim while Gus enjoy sunbathing. When the kid was busy with his sand castle, Max sneaked out and gave Gus a breathless kiss. They looked so happy with their biggest smile.
Max wrapped his arm around Gus's waist, whispered "Good night" to his ears, Gus fell to sleep while listening to his partner's rhythm breathing.
He heard the sound of water leaking... Tok tok tok tok. It was so noisy. And then the blue turned red before his eyes. Gus woke up in a panic, he turned on the light just to find out the spot next to his was empty and cold. The picture on the side table disappeared. He tried to catch his breath, and after a few sober, he turned off the lights one more time, hoping that he can dream about his family again.